Gas monitor, system and method sensing two different gases

ABSTRACT

A monitor for gases and a mine includes a housing. The monitor includes a battery disposed in the housing. The monitor includes a gas sensor portion powered by the battery and in electrical communication with the battery which detects a first gas and at least a second gas different from the first gas in the mine. The monitor includes an alarm portion disposed in the housing, powered by the battery and in electrical communication with the battery which emits a visual alert and an audible alert when the gas sensor portion senses that either the first or second gas is above a predetermined threshold. The monitor includes a wireless communication portion disposed in the housing, powered by the battery and in electrical communication with the battery and the sensor portion, which sends a wireless signal from the housing that the gas sensor portion has sensed of either the first or second gas. The monitor includes a processor disposed in the housing, powered by the battery and in electrical communication with the wireless communication portion, alarm portion, sensor portion and battery. Alternatively, the monitor includes a terminal portion that has two states, an output configuration state in which an output signal is sent from the processor to a first device, and an input configuration state in which an input signal is received from a second device. A method for monitoring gases in a mine. A system for monitoring gases underground. A method and a system for communicating in a mine. A miner communicator. A method for communicating with a minor. A system for monitoring gases on an oil or gas rig. A remote station. A miner apparatus. A method for a miner. A method for a miner to move through a mine.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a nonprovisional of U.S. provisional application Ser. No.61/887,768 filed Oct. 7, 2013; and is a continuation-in-part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/325,028 filed on Jul. 7, 2014, which is anonprovisional of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/847,846 filedon Jul. 18, 2013; and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/290,755 filed on May 29, 2014, which is anonprovisional of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/832,259 filedJun. 7, 2013, all of which are incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to monitoring of gas where the value ofthe gas is transmitted wirelessly. (As used herein, references to the“present invention” or “invention” relate to exemplary embodiments andnot necessarily to every embodiment encompassed by the appended claims.)More specifically, the present invention is related to monitoring of gasin an underground environment or an oil or gas rig with an apparatuswhere the value of the gas is transmitted wirelessly from the apparatusand an alarm is activated at the apparatus when the value of the gas isabove a predetermined value, or an input signal from an input of theapparatus is transmitted wirelessly from the apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects ofthe art that may be related to various aspects of the present invention.The following discussion is intended to provide information tofacilitate a better understanding of the present invention. Accordingly,it should be understood that statements in the following discussion areto be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

Atmospheric Monitoring Systems, herein after referred to as AMS, andtheir requirements are thoroughly described in The Mine Safety HealthAdministration's 30 CFR § 75.351.

http://www.msha.gov/30CFR/75.351.htm

Historically, AMS consisted of gas monitors connected over a hardwirednetwork all communicating to a central area as described in the aboverequirement in section (b)(1). As the mine expanded and additionalmonitors were needed, lengths of cable were added to facilitatecommunications and power to new monitoring locations. As technologyprogressed, wireless and battery powered solutions became available.Extensive lengths of cable providing data and power were no longerneeded. Mines now have the option of running a hardwired system or ahybrid of both hardwired with wireless. This becomes especiallyeffective when the mine monitoring requirement consists of bothpermanent and temporary monitoring needs. Areas along the beltways aretypically unchanging and are best suited for hardwired monitoring wheredeveloping areas of the mine are better suited for a wireless/batterypowered solution. Aside from the existing hardwired network, a wirelesscommunication network is still needed to transmit data from the wirelessmonitors to the designated central area. This could be served with adevice that acts as an access point for the wireless monitor data toenter the existing hardwired network or an entirely separate truewireless network such as Strata Products Worldwide, LLC's CommTracsystem.

As taken from section (c)(2) of the above requirement, an AMS must havethe ability to “Automatically provide visual and audible signals at thedesignated surface location when the carbon monoxide concentration ormethane concentration at any sensor reaches the alert level as specifiedin § 75.351(i). These signals must be of sufficient magnitude to be seenor heard by the AMS operator.”

The detail of importance in this section is the mention of “methane”.Traditional AMS hardwired systems offer methane monitoring but only inthe 0-5% by volume range using catalytic bead technology. Methaneconcentrations above 5% will cause catalytic technology to bepermanently damaged. In the event of a disaster and mine ventilation islost, methane levels can easily exceed 5% concentration. Existingtechnology cannot provide atmospheric information that is criticalduring rescue efforts. No wireless or hardwired option exists to fulfillthis need. Furthermore, the available wireless gas monitoring devicesonly offer carbon monoxide as a detectable gas and only in the 100 PPMmaximum range.

As taken from section (c)(4) of the above requirement, an AMS must havethe ability to “Automatically provide visual and audible signals at allaffected working sections and at all affected areas where mechanizedmining equipment is being installed or removed when the carbon monoxide,smoke, or methane concentration at any sensor reaches the alarm level asspecified in § 75.351(i). These signals must be of sufficient magnitudeto be seen or heard by miners working at these locations. Methanesignals must be distinguishable from other signals.”

Traditional AMS hardwired systems offer this ability through a hybridmonitor/alarming unit although no wireless options for this requirementexist currently. Mines are often forced to run a separate controlnetwork if using a wireless monitoring solution to satisfy the sectionalarming requirement.

Similar to mines, oil and gas rigs need to monitor the atmosphere fordangerous levels of various gases without the need of cables and wiringcluttering the rig. In places such as oil and gas rigs, there is alsothe risk of dangerous gases and the need to monitor the atmosphere forthese dangerous gases. Typically, gas monitors were connected by cablingand wiring throughout the rig has been used to monitor dangerous gaseson a rig. The presence of all of these cables and wires distributedthroughout a rig creates the problem of properly organizing andpositioning the cables and wires so they do not interfere with theoperation of the rig nor can be damaged so that connection is lost withthe monitor during operation. If connection is lost with a monitor, thenthe monitor as well as the entire length of the cable or wire thatconnects the monitor to a remote station for monitoring must be examinedto correct the loss of communication with the monitor. Such cabling andwiring could extend quite a long distance and be located in difficultpositions to examine and can become a significant issue to correct.

In addition, in a mine, it is important to be able to track andcommunicate with a miner in ideally the most unobtrusive way possible.Besides the mine environment being a dangerous place in and of itselfthe more equipment a miner carries, the more difficult it is for theminer to perform his functions and move through the mine. What isdesired is a simple way to alert a miner of a dangerous or emergencycondition, as well as for the miner to inform a remote station of theminer's condition and the miner's location.

To further provide for the safety of a miner, the miner is required tocarry a light, such as a cap lamp that the miner wears on his head, aswell as is required to be tracked in the mine, and also be protectedfrom contact with machinery so as not to be injured by the machinery byaccidentally contacting the machinery during operation. The latterprotection is afforded with the use of a proximity device carried by aminer and proximity sensors positioned on machinery which, whendetermining that a proximity device carried by a miner is within apredetermined location of the proximity sensor, the machine is turnedoff so the miner is not injured. As the light is already required to becarried by a miner, and the proximity device is commonly carried by aminer, it would be desirable to combine tracking with these functionssince they are already present on the miner.

To provide communication to and from the miner to inform the miner ofimportant information or to track the miner or to enable the miner tocommunicate with the remote station, communication networks are criticalthroughout the mine. Since the mine is a very difficult environment forcommunication networks, redundancy, as well as data networks thatideally work best to transmit data, and voice networks that ideally workbest to transmit voice bidirectionally, in which also can transmit data,and work in combination are desired.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to a monitor for gases and a mine. Themonitor comprises a housing. The monitor comprises a battery disposed inthe housing. The monitor comprises a gas sensor portion powered by thebattery and in electrical communication with the battery which detects afirst gas and at least a second gas different from the first gas in themine. The monitor comprises an alarm portion disposed in the housing,powered by the battery and in electrical communication with the batterywhich emits a visual alert and an audible alert when the gas sensorportion senses that either the first or second gas is above apredetermined threshold. The monitor comprises a wireless communicationportion disposed in the housing, powered by the battery and inelectrical communication with the battery and the sensor portion, whichsends a wireless signal from the housing that the gas sensor portion hassensed of either the first or second gas. The monitor comprises aprocessor disposed in the housing, powered by the battery and inelectrical communication with the wireless communication portion, alarmportion, sensor portion and battery.

The present invention pertains to a method for monitoring gases in amine. The method comprises the steps of detecting with a gas sensorportion a first gas and at least a second gas different from the firstgas in the mine, the gas sensor portion powered by a battery and inelectrical communication with the battery, the gas sensor portion andthe battery disposed in the housing. There is the step of emitting withan alarm portion powered by the battery, disposed in the housing and inelectrical communication with the battery a visual alert and an audiblealert when the gas sensor portion senses that either the first or secondgas is above a predetermined threshold. There is the step of sendingwith a wireless communication portion disposed in the housing, poweredby the battery and in electrical communication with the battery and thesensor portion a wireless signal from the housing that the gas sensorportion has sensed either the first or second gas.

The present invention pertains to a monitor for gases in a mine. Themonitor comprises a housing. The monitor comprises a battery disposed inthe housing. The monitor comprises a gas sensor portion powered by thebattery and in electrical communication with the battery which detects afirst gas and at least a second gas different from the first gas in themine. The monitor comprises a terminal portion that has two states, anoutput configuration state in which an output signal is sent from theprocessor to a first device, and an input configuration state in whichan input signal is received from a second device. The monitor comprisesa wireless communication portion disposed in the housing, powered by thebattery and in electrical communication with the battery and the sensorportion, which sends a wireless signal from the housing that the gassensor portion has sensed of either the first or second gas. The monitorcomprises a processor disposed in the housing, powered by the batteryand in electrical communication with the wireless communication portion,alarm portion, sensor portion and battery.

The present invention pertains to a monitor for gases and a mine. Themonitor comprises a housing. The monitor comprises a battery disposed inthe housing. The monitor comprises a gas sensor portion powered by thebattery and in electrical communication with the battery which detects afirst gas and at least a second gas different from the first gas in themine. The monitor comprises a wireless communication portion disposed inthe housing, powered by the battery and in electrical communication withthe battery and the sensor portion, which sends a wireless signal fromthe housing that the gas sensor portion has sensed of either the firstor second gas. The monitor comprises at least one input for connectionto a remote device which provides a status signal regarding the remotedevice which is transmitted by the wireless communication portion fromthe detector. The monitor comprises a processor disposed in the housing,powered by the battery and in electrical communication with the wirelesscommunication portion, the input, sensor portion and battery.

The present invention is related to a system for monitoring gasesunderground. The system comprises a monitor which detects a gas locatedin a tunnel underground and determines a gas value of the gas. Themonitor has an audio alarm and a visual alarm which is activated whatthe detected gas is above a predetermined value, and a transceiver whichtransmits the gas value. The system comprises a wirelesstelecommunications network on which the gas value is transmitted fromthe apparatus. The system comprises a remote station which receives thegas value from the network.

The present invention pertains to a system for monitoring gases on anoil or gas rig. The system comprises a monitor which detects a gas atthe rig and determines a gas value of the gas. The monitor having anaudio alarm and a visual alarm, which is activated when the detected gasis above a predetermined value, and a transceiver which transmits thegas value. The system comprises a wireless telecommunications network onwhich the gas value is transmitted from the monitor. The systemcomprises a remote station which receives the gas value from thenetwork.

The present invention pertains to a remote station which receives gasvalues of gas monitors from a wireless network. The remote stationcomprises a receiver which receives the gas values wirelessly from thenetwork. The remote station comprises a processor in communication withthe receiver which receives the gas values from the receiver. The remotestation comprises a display in communication with the processor on whichthe processor displays an alarm indication when the gas value is above apredetermined level.

The present invention pertains to a communication system. The systemcomprises a data network on which solely data is sent. The systemcomprises a wireless network on which voice and data is sentbidirectionally. The system comprises a plurality of nodes distributedand apart from each other that form the data network and the wirelessnetwork. Each node has a data portion which receives and sends data onthe data network, a wireless portion which receives and sends voicesignals on the wireless network, and a power supply portion inelectrical communication with the data portion and the wireless portionwhich powers the data portion and the wireless portion.

The present invention pertains to a communication node of a data networkand a wireless network. The node comprises a data portion which receivesdata wirelessly on the data network. The node comprises a wirelessportion which receives and sends voice signals on the wireless network.The node comprises a power supply portion in electrical communicationwith the data portion and the wireless portion which powers the dataportion and the wireless portion. The node comprises a data converter incommunication with the data portion and the wireless portion whichconverts the data from the data network into a transmission signal thatis transmitted on the wireless network.

The present invention pertains to a method for communicating in a mine.The method comprises the steps of receiving data wirelessly at a dataportion of a first node of a plurality of nodes 206 from a data networkon which solely data is sent. The plurality of nodes distributed andapart from each other and form the data network and a wireless network.There is the step of converting with a data converter in communicationwith the data portion the data from the data network into a transmissionsignal that is transmitted on the wireless network. The wireless networktransmitting and receiving voice and data bidirectionally. There is thestep of transmitting the transmission signal from the first node on thewireless network with a wireless portion of the first node. There is thestep of powering the data portion and the wireless portion with a powersupply portion in electrical communication with the data portion and thewireless portion.

The present invention pertains to a miner communicator in acommunications network. The communicator comprises a housing. Thecommunicator comprises a processor disposed in the housing. Thecommunicator comprises a transceiver disposed in the housing and incommunication with the processor and the network to send to and receivefrom the network only data but not including text. The communicatorcomprises an input disposed on the housing and in communication with theprocessor which provides a trigger signal to the processor. Thecommunicator comprises an alarm in contact with the housing and incommunication with the processor that is activated by the processor whenan alarm signal is received by the transceiver. The communicatorcomprises a position portion disposed in the housing and incommunication with the processor which determines a location of thecommunicator and provides a location to the processor, the processorprovides the location and an ID of the communicator to the transceiverwhich transmits the ID and location to the network to a communicationnode, ideally the closest node, and then to the remote station.

The present invention pertains to a method for communicating with aminer in a mine. The method comprises the steps of sending an alarmsignal wirelessly through a wireless communication network to a minercommunicator carried by a miner in the mine. The communicator is onlyable to receive data but not voice. There is the step of receiving thealarm signal by the communicator. There is the step of activating analarm of the communicator by a processor of the communicator in responseto the communicator receiving the alarm signal. There is the step ofactivating a button of the communicator to cause the transmitter totransmit from the communicator to the network an indicator signalregarding the miner's status, and with the indicator signal is an id ofthe communicator and position of the communicator the communicator nothaving a display or a keyboard.

The present invention pertains to a miner apparatus of a wirelessnetwork. The apparatus comprises a housing which is carried by theminer. The apparatus comprises a tracking portion disposed in thehousing which determines the miner's location and transmits the locationwirelessly to the network. The apparatus comprises a battery disposed inthe housing and connected to the tracking portion which powers thetracking portion. The apparatus comprises a cap lamp electricallyconnected to the battery which is powered by the battery to providelight, the cap lamp worn by the miner.

The present invention pertains to a miner apparatus of a wirelessnetwork. The apparatus comprises a housing which is carried by theminer. The apparatus comprises a tracking portion disposed in thehousing which determines the miner's location and transmits the locationwirelessly to the network. The apparatus comprises a battery disposed inthe housing and connected to the tracking portion which powers thetracking portion. The apparatus comprises a proximity deviceelectrically connected to the battery and disposed in the housing whichis powered by the battery to provide a detectable presence to aproximity detector when the miner gets too close to the proximitydetector, the proximity device worn by the miner.

The present invention pertains to a miner apparatus of a wirelessnetwork. The apparatus comprises a housing which is carried by theminer. The apparatus comprises a tracking portion disposed in thehousing which determines the miner's location and transmits the locationwirelessly to the network. The apparatus comprises a battery disposed inthe housing and connected to the tracking portion which powers thetracking portion. The apparatus comprises a proximity deviceelectrically connected to the battery and disposed in the housing whichis powered by the battery to provide a detectable presence to aproximity detector when the miner gets too close to the proximitydetector, the proximity device worn by the miner. The apparatuscomprises a cap lamp electrically connected to the battery which ispowered by the battery to provide light. The cap lamp is worn by theminer.

The present invention pertains to a method for a miner to move through amine. The method comprises the steps of powering a light of a cap lampon the miner's head with a battery in a housing carried by the miner.There is the step of sending location information from the housing sothe miner can be tracked as the miner moves through the mine. There isthe step of stopping a machine with a proximity sensor connected to themachine, because the proximity sensor has sensed a proximity device inthe housing has come within a predetermined distance to the proximitydevice.

The present invention pertains to a proximity detector attached to amachine. The detector for detecting a miner's presence comprises agenerator which produces a magnetic field. The detector comprises aprocessor. The detector comprises a transceiver for sending a messageproduced by the processor having information about the generator'shealth and an ID of a PAD of a miner that has triggered a warning orhazard that has effectively stopped operation of the machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

In the accompanying drawings, the preferred embodiment of the inventionand preferred methods of practicing the invention are illustrated inwhich:

FIGS. 1A, 1AA, 1B and 2A-2E are engineering schematic diagrams of thewireless communications portion, the alarm portion and the battery ofthe present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the wireless communications portion, thealarm portion and the battery of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an operations diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a representation of the output configuration of the claimedinvention.

FIG. 7 is a representation of the input configuration of the claimedinvention.

FIG. 8 is a representation of the terminal connectivity regarding inputmode of the claimed invention.

FIG. 9 is a representation of the terminal connectivity regarding outputmode of the claimed invention.

FIG. 10 is a representation of the terminal.

FIG. 11 shows the apparatus having a housing with a first shell and asecond shell.

FIG. 12 shows the apparatus having a first port and a second port forinputs or outputs.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram regarding the system of the presentinvention.

FIG. 14A is a schematic representation of a communication system of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 14B and 14C are block diagrams of a shared power supply of a node.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of a miner communicator.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a remote station which receives gas valuesof gas monitors.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a housing of the remote station

FIG. 18 is a block diagram of a miner apparatus with a cap lamp andtracking.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram of a miner apparatus with a proximity deviceand tracking.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a miner apparatus with a cap lamp,proximity device and tracking.

FIG. 21 is a representation of a system for a miner.

FIGS. 22A-22K and 23A-23E are circuit diagrams of the miner communicatorof the present invention.

FIG. 24 shows an overhead view of the circuit board having the circuitrydescribed in FIGS. 22A-23E.

FIGS. 25A-25J, 26A-26F, 27A-27L, 28A, and 28B are circuit diagrams ofthe miner apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is an exploded view of the miner apparatus.

FIG. 30 shows the terminals of the miner apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer tosimilar or identical parts throughout the several views, and morespecifically to FIGS. 1A-5, 11, 12 and 13 thereof, there is shown amonitor 10 for gases in a mine. The monitor 10 comprises a housing 12.The monitor 10 comprises a battery 14 disposed in the housing 12. Themonitor 10 comprises a gas sensor portion 16 powered by the battery 14and in electrical communication with the battery 14 which detects afirst gas and at least a second gas different from the first gas in themine. The monitor 10 comprises an alarm portion 18 disposed in thehousing 12, powered by the battery 14 and in electrical communicationwith the battery 14 which emits a visual alert and an audible alert whenthe gas sensor portion 16 senses that either the first or second gas isabove a predetermined threshold. The monitor 10 comprises a wirelesscommunication portion 20 disposed in the housing 12, powered by thebattery 14 and in electrical communication with the battery 14 and thesensor portion, which sends a wireless signal from the housing 12 thatthe gas sensor portion 16 has sensed of either the first or second gas.The monitor 10 comprises a processor 22 disposed in the housing 12,powered by the battery 14 and in electrical communication with thewireless communication portion 20, alarm portion 18, sensor portion andbattery 14.

The housing 12 may be one single shell or a combination of shells thatare effectively engaged together, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. Forinstance, audio and visual (AV) alarms of the alarm portion 18 may be ina separate or second shell 26 from the processor 22 and the wirelesscommunication portion 20 which is in a first shell 24 separate from thesecond shell 26, with the AV alarms electrically connected by wireswhich extend through MSHA approved glands 28 and the first and secondshells 24, 26 may be held together with screws or rivets. The gasmonitoring portion may be in a separate shell from the processor 22 andwireless communication portion 20 and be in electrical communicationthrough wires passing through a gland(s) 28. FIG. 11 shows the apparatushaving a housing 12 with a first shell 24 and a second shell 26. Thesecond shell 26 has the AV alarms. FIG. 12 shows the apparatus having afirst port 34 and a second port 36 with glands 28 for inputs 54 oroutputs 56. FIG. 12 also shows an embodiment of the apparatus with thecapability of monitoring and detecting four different gases, forinstance here Nitric Oxide. Methane, Oxygen and Carbon Monoxide, asshown in a display 38 of the housing 12. Here, there are four openings40, one for each gas being sensed, in fluid communication for therespective gas module monitoring and detecting the respective gas.

The gas sensor portion 16 may include a full range by volume betweenzero and 100% methane sensor 42 and the wireless communication portion20 transmits wirelessly from the housing 12 a methane value of methanein the mine sensed by the sensor portion. The gas sensor portion 16 mayinclude a carbon monoxide sensor 44 and a H2S sensor 46 and the wirelesscommunication portion 20 transmits wirelessly from the housing 12 acarbon monoxide value of carbon in the mine sensed by the sensor portionand an H2S value of H2S in the mine sensed by the sensor portion. Theprocessor 22 may receive a gas value signal from the gas sensing portionand converts the gas value signal into a converted signal form of thegas value which can be sent wirelessly by the communication portion 20from the housing 12.

The communication portion 20 may include a transceiver 48 incommunication with the processor 22, as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1AA and2A-2E. The communication portion 20 may include an amplifier 50 with aninternal antenna 52 in communication with the transceiver 48, as shownin FIGS. 1A and 1AA. The processor 22 may provide the converted signalof the gas value to the transceiver 48 which then transmits theconverted signal form of the gas value wirelessly through the amplifier50 and the internal antenna 52 from the housing 12. The processor 22 mayreceive an alarm signal from the gas sensor portion 16 and activates thevisual alarm 32 and the audible alarm based on the alarm signal.

The present invention pertains to a monitor 10 for gases and a mine, asshown in FIG. 13. The monitor 10 comprises a housing 12. The monitor 10comprises a battery 14 disposed in the housing 12. The monitor 10comprises a gas sensor portion 16 powered by the battery 14 and inelectrical communication with the battery 14 which detects a first gasand at least a second gas different from the first gas in the mine. Themonitor 10 comprises a wireless communication portion 20 disposed in thehousing 12, powered by the battery 14 and in electrical communicationwith the battery 14 and the sensor portion, which sends a wirelesssignal from the housing 12 that the gas sensor portion 16 has sensed ofeither the first or second gas. The monitor 10 comprises at least oneinput 54 for connection to a remote device which provides a statussignal regarding the remote device which is transmitted by the wirelesscommunication portion 20 from the detector. The monitor 10 comprises aprocessor 22 disposed in the housing 12, powered by the battery 14 andin electrical communication with the wireless communication portion 20,the input 54, sensor portion and battery 14.

The present invention pertains to a method for monitoring gases in amine. The method comprises the steps of detecting with a gas sensorportion 16 a first gas and at least a second gas different from thefirst gas in the mine, the gas sensor portion 16 powered by a battery 14and in electrical communication with the battery 14, the gas sensorportion 16 and the battery 14 disposed in the housing 12. There is thestep of emitting with an alarm portion 18 powered by the battery 14,disposed in the housing 12 and in electrical communication with thebattery 14 a visual alert and an audible alert when the gas sensorportion 16 senses that either the first or second gas is above apredetermined threshold. There is the step of sending with a wirelesscommunication portion 20 disposed in the housing 12, powered by thebattery 14 and in electrical communication with the battery 14 and thesensor portion a wireless signal from the housing 12 that the gas sensorportion 16 has sensed either the first or second gas.

The present invention pertains to a monitor 10 for gases in a mine, asshown in FIG. 13. The monitor 10 comprises a housing 12. The monitor 10comprises a battery 14 disposed in the housing 12. The monitor 10comprises a gas sensor portion 16 powered by the battery 14 and inelectrical communication with the battery 14 which detects a first gasand at least a second gas different from the first gas in the mine. Themonitor 10 comprises a terminal portion 58 that has two states, anoutput configuration state in which an output signal is sent from theprocessor 22 to a first device 60, such as the audio alarm 30, as shownin FIG. 4, and an input 54 configuration state in which an input 54signal is received from a second device 62, such as a field switch, asshown in FIG. 7. The monitor 10 comprises a wireless communicationportion 20 disposed in the housing 12, powered by the battery 14 and inelectrical communication with the battery 14 and the sensor portion,which sends a wireless signal from the housing 12 that the gas sensorportion 16 has sensed of either the first or second gas. The monitor 10comprises a processor 22 disposed in the housing 12, powered by thebattery 14 and in electrical communication with the wirelesscommunication portion 20, alarm portion 18, sensor portion and battery14.

The present invention is related to a system 64 for monitoring gasesunderground, as shown in FIG. 13. The system 64 comprises a monitor 10which detects a gas located in a tunnel underground and determines a gasvalue of the gas. The monitor 10 has an audio alarm 30 and a visualalarm 32 which is activated what the detected gas is above apredetermined value, and a transmitter which transmits the gas value.The system 64 comprises a wireless telecommunications network 66 onwhich the gas value is transceiver 48 from the monitor. The system 64comprises a remote station 68 which receives the gas value from thenetwork 66. The transceiver may receive a signal from the network tochange a set point for an alarm condition for the gas to be determinedby the monitor.

In the operation of the invention, and with reference to FIG. 13, thesystem 64 is a battery 14 powered CommTrac enabled gas monitor 10 tofulfill the MSHA requirements identified above and offer a truly uniquesolution. To meet the requirement of section (c)(2), a visual andaudible alarm has been integrated into a Trolex Sentro gas detector 70equipped with a battery 14 pack and CommTrac Interface module 72 (CIM),as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The alert points will allow for a completelywireless gas monitor 10 that has the ability to alert personnel in theworking zones in accordance with section (c)(2). The gas concentrationalert and alarm points as mentioned in sections (i)(2) and (i)(3) willtrigger the integrated monitor 10 audible and visual alarms via twounique output options. The first output 74 will trigger the visual alarm32 when an alert level is reached. Different color visual alarms 32 willbe available for different gases. The second output 76 will trigger theaudible alarm when an alarm level is reached. If the monitor 10 is notbeing configured as a section alarm, the outputs 56 can be used asremote output to control connected devices. Aside from just methane andcarbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen dioxide,chlorine, oxygen, nitric oxide, and hydrogen will also be available fordetection. Methane will be detectable over the entire volume range usingan infrared technology based sensor as opposed to the current catalytictechnology. Aside from full range capabilities, infrared technology isnot affected by high concentrations. Carbon monoxide will be availablein 1000 PPM maximum range. Hydrogen discriminate carbon monoxidedetection will also be supported along with nitrogen dioxide filteredcarbon monoxide detection capabilities. Open wireless protocols such as802.11 will also be a supported means of communication aside from theCommTrac mesh infrastructure. Ultimately, the wireless battery 14powered gas monitor 10 can offer a complete and single system solutionto the MSHA AMS requirement. The features outline above are truly uniqueand the first of their kind. The CommTrac network 66 already exists andis available from Strata Products Worldwide. LLC. Sandy Springs, Ga.

In regard to FIG. 5, there is shown a theory of operation of the presentinvention. First, the monitor 10 is turned on and powered up. Then, thenecessary software and functionality is written into the staticregisters of the monitor 10 for operation. From that point, stableoperation of the monitor 10 proceeds from an idle state. From the idlestate, the processor 22 requests of the gas sensor portion 16 a statusreport every five seconds. The gas sensor portion 16, if there is nowarnings or alarms identified, reports back to the processor 22 thatthere are no warnings or alarms. If there is a warning state or alarmstate or calibration state that occurs, the processor 22 takes theinformation that it has received from the gas sensor portion 16 andprepares this information to be sent through the transceiver 48 and outthe antenna 52 to the CommTrac network 66 and ultimately to the centralmonitoring station. In addition, if the processor 22 does not receive aresponse from the gas sensor portion 16 within the interval timer periodafter the request for sensor status has been issued, then the processor22 also transmits through the CommTrac network 66 a signal thatcommunication has been lost with the gas sensor portion extending. Whenthe central monitoring station receives the signal that communicationhas been lost with the gas sensor portion 16, steps are then taken toinvestigate and review the gas sensor portion 16 to correct the problemthat is causing the failure of the gas sensor portion 16 to respond tothe processor 22.

In regard to FIG. 3, there is shown a block diagram of the monitor 10.The CommTrac transceiver 48 is in electrical connection over a UARTconnection to the antenna 52. The CommTrac transceiver 48 is also incommunication with the battery 14 power supply through which power fromthe mine power supply is available. There is feedback protectionconnected to the external port connectors connected to the mine powersupply. The battery 14 power supply is also connected at 3.3 V to theoutput 56 ports to provide power to them. There are two input 54 portsand two output 56 ports. There is also a video alarm 32 and an audioalarm 30. There is input/output protection connected to the battery 14power supply, the CommTrac transceiver 48 and the input and outputports.

In the operation of the invention, reference is made to the parts listbelow which identifies the parts by model number and vendor from whichthey can be obtained. The operation of the parts listed below, asindividual components, is well known.

The gas sensor portion 16 itself is an of T-the-shelf Trolex TX 6351/2Sentro 1 universal gas detector 70. It has the ability to monitorseveral different gases at once. For a given gas value identified by thedetector, this value is provided to the processor 22, which is a PIC 24processor 22. The processor 22 converts the gas value into a packet formwhich can be transmitted wirelessly. The gas value provided from thedetector 70 to the processor 22 is across a standard serial connection.It is received at pin header 6 of the processor 22, as shown in FIGS. 1Band 2A-2E. The detector 70 provides a specific gas value for a given gasbeing monitored by the detector 70 in response to a request sent by theprocessor 22 from its pin header 4. The requests for the differentgases, occurs one at a time in sequence, and then is continuallyrepeated so that the different gases being monitored by the detector 70are continually reviewed over time by the processor 22.

The packet produced by the processor 22 for a given gas being monitored,is then sent from PIC 24 to the transceiver 48, CC 1110, as shown inFIG. 1A, where it is received at its pin 34 input 54. From thetransceiver 48, the packet signal is then provided to the amplifier 50CC 1190 which boosts the signal and then transmits it through itsantenna 52. The wireless transmitted packet having the value of the gasis then transmitted over the existing CommTrac network 66. The PIC 24,CC 1110, CC 1190 and internal antenna 52 form and define the CIM 72

Signals can also be received by the antenna 52 of the amplifier 50,which modulates the received signal, and provides it to the transceiver48 where it is outputted through transceiver 48 pin 35 back to theprocessor 22 that receives it at pin header 6. The signal that isreceived by the monitor 10 can be a signal to change the set point bythe processor 22 for an alarm condition for a given gas being monitored.

In addition to the gas value that is provided by the gas detector 70 tothe processor 22, along the same serial connection and same pinattachments, an alarm signal for a given gas is provided to theprocessor 22 when the monitor 10 gas is above a certain predeterminedvalue. The processor 22 receives the alarm signal and then activates anaudio alarm 30 as well as a visual alarm 32. The audio alarm 30 is loudenough to be heard by miners in the vicinity of the monitor 10. Thevisual alarm 32 is formed by a plurality of LED lights that areilluminated when the alarm occurs. A different sequence of colors, orsimply different colors are illuminated for a corresponding type of gas,so for instance methane would have a different set of LED lights ordifferent colors of lights activated then the LED lights activated forcarbon dioxide. In addition, if so desired, the audio alarm 30 can beset to have a different tone or frequency corresponding to the type ofgas detected if desired. The processor 22 also transmits an alarm signalthrough the transceiver 48 to the CommTrac network 66.

The processor 22, detector, transceiver 48 and amplifier 50 are allpowered by battery 14 through a standard battery 14 selection circuit74. Also available is an external power interface 76 that can receivewired electricity from the mine external power source.

The wireless communication portion 20 that has been added to the gasdetector 70 contains a microcontroller—a CC1110 which is in electricalcommunication with the PIC24 microcontroller. The PIC24 is the center ofthe monitor in that it communicates with the detector's microcontrollerto obtain sensor information and also communicates with the CC1110 tosend and receive data over the CommTrac network 66.

The software in the PIC24 polls the detector's microcontroller, here theTrolex PIC18, on a continuous basis for sensor information. It packagesthis sensor information and sends it to the CC1110 to be transmittedover the CommTrac system at configurable intervals. The software alsomonitors the information from the PIC18 on the Trolex detector foralarms and if any are generated, a message will be sent to the CC1110for transmission via the CommTrac network 66.

The software can also be configured to use the two available I/Os 80, asshown in FIGS. 12 and 13. These I/Os 80 can either be connected toaudible and visual alarms 30, 32—in which case, they would be activatedif an alarm condition is reported by the detector 70, as shown in FIGS.6 and 8. Alternatively, these I/Os 80 can be used as inputs which willcause the software to send a message over CommTrac if the circuit on theI/O line is broken. (E.g. a belt stop switch), as shown in FIGS. 7 and9. In between these activities, the software will put the CC1110 and thePIC24 into sleep mode in order to conserve power.

The CC1110 transceiver 48 receives the message from the PIC 24 andplaces it into the transmit queue. The CC1110 is then listening for abeacon message from one of the CommTrac Communication Nodes (backbone ofthe network 66). When it hears a beacon message it will select a dataslot to transmit the message. During the chosen slot the message is sentand it waits to receive an ack from the Communication Node during theacknowledgement slot. If the ack is properly received the message willbe removed from the transmit queue. If it doesn't receive an ack thenthe message is resent during the next beacon cycle. The CC1190 istypically only used to amplify the transmit and receive signal to allowfor greater distances when transmit/receiving.

The AV unit may be mounted beneath a Wireless Sentro Gas detector 70with the communication portion 20 with hard wiring between the twounits, as shown in FIG. 11. The sound and light alarms will be activatedby switching the battery 14 supply on and off. This can be controlled bysoftware allowing the option of pulsed light and sound alarms.

The same two outputs of the pic 24 that are used to drive the audibleand visual alarms 32 can be configured using software to also be inputs54. The configuration allows the states of various input devices such aspull cords, emergency stops buttons or fault switches to be transmittedthrough the CommTrac network 66 to the surface for monitoring. Thestates of the switches are often unrelated to the gas monitoring datathat the sensors are transmitting, but the sensors are typically locatedin remote areas in the mine where other communication networks do notexist. It is quite attractive to give the mine the option of monitoringa remote switch through a communication network 66 that is available inremote areas. Alternately, if the apparatus is not equipped with anaudible or visual alarm 30, 32, the available output 56 can be used todrive a low current consumption device that may also be located remotelyin the mine where the CommTrac network 66 is available.

In regard to FIG. 1B, the screw terminal corresponds to the descriptionof FIGS. 8 through 10 can connect to a given output 56 or input 54depending on the configuration. The pin headers connect to the gasdetection portion, here specifically the Trolex assembly card. Theprogram headers connect to the pic 24 through J 3 into the CC1110through J 5.

In regard to FIGS. 2A-2E, depending on whether the apparatus is in aninput 54 configuration or an output configuration, the pic 24 through Lout 1 and L out 2 communicates to control out 1 and control out 2,respectively, of the output control section which then is provided, forinstance through output 1 and output 2, respectively, to the audio alarm30 and the video visual alarm 32, respectively, if in the outputconfiguration. When in the input 54 configuration, the outputs 56 arereversed and are inputs 54, so the pic 24 receives input 54 signals frominput 1 (instead of output 1) and from input 2 (instead of output 2) andthese input signals follow a reverse direction back to the pic 24 fromthat described above in the output direction, that is to control out 1and control out 2, respectively, to L out 1 and L out 2, respectively,of pic 24.

As explained above, and with reference to FIG. 6, when in the outputconfiguration, output 1 is used for the visual alarm 32, and output 2 isused for the audible alarm. In the output mode, and with reference toFIG. 9, terminal 1 has a voltage, for instance 1.2 V, connected to thevisual alarm 32 load, and terminal 2 is connected to ground and thevisual alarm 32 load. The 1.2 V energizes the visual alarm 32 when theswitch is closed. Similarly, output 3 has 1.2 V and energizes theaudible alarm, and either terminal 5 or terminal 2 is connected toground and the audible alarm. In this configuration, the operation ofthe alarms is as described above.

If the monitor 10 is desired to be in the input 54 configuration, asshown in FIG. 7, the monitor 10 is used to monitor 10 whatever thedevice, such as a field switch or pull cord or emergency stop, isconnected to it. Here, terminal 1 has 1.2 V on it and is connected tothe device being monitored, here a field switch, as shown in FIG. 8.Terminal 2 is connected to ground and to the field switch. When theswitch is closed, pic 24 senses the 1.2 V going to ground and produces afield switch signal that is then converted by the pic 24 into a formthat can be sent wirelessly by the apparatus, as described above inregard to the description of the gas value being sent wirelessly fromthe apparatus.

Similarly, and with reference to FIG. 8, a second device 62, such as apull cord, can be in electrical connection with terminal 3 having 1.2 V.Terminal 5, which is ground, is electrically connected to the seconddevice 62, such as the pull cord, and the same description is applicablein sending a signal involving the pull cord being pulled occurs asdescribed for the field switch connected to terminals 1 and 2.

As shown in FIG. 10, the terminal is a six position terminal disposed onthe housing 12 and accessible from outside the monitor 10. Terminal 1 iseither the first output 74 or input, terminal 2 is ground, terminal 3 isthe second output 76 or input, terminal 4 is electrically connected tothe battery 14, terminal 5 is ground, and terminal 6 is connected toexternal power for the apparatus to receive external power.

Accordingly, when in the input 54 configuration, which is establishedprior to the monitor 10 being positioned at a desired location in themine, input 1 and input 2 of the terminal can receive signals throughhardwired connections with various types of devices, to allow for thedevices to be monitored. In the output configuration, the same terminalshaving input 1 and input 2 are now output 1 and output 2 and areconfigured as described above, for the pic 24 to send alarm signals toactivate the audible and visual alarms 30, 32.

The following are features of the apparatus.

-   -   Sound Output Level: >90 dB at 12 inches        -   Constant tone in range of 2,000-4,000 Hz        -   Dual sounders and horns for 180 degree coverage    -   Visual Alarm: Constantly on high intensity LEDs; color selected        by jumper on board        -   Red for C0: Green for CH4; Blue for H2S    -   Supply Voltage: Typically 3.9 VDC. Min 3.5 VDC, Max 6 VDC    -   Supply Current: <80 ma consumption of simultaneous AV operation    -   Control Signal: Power will be switch on/off from Sentro Gas        detector 70    -   Mounting Arrangement: Mounted under the Sentro-1 Wireless Sensor        using the two cable glands 28 for fixing and routing the wiring.        The module must allow for external 12-30 VDC to be connected to        the Sentro-1 terminals.

Powered from commercially available batteries giving 40 to 45 daysoperating life.

Wireless output board with internal antenna 52.

Measures CO, H2S, CH4 options for other gases

Able to interrogate Modbus registers via wireless system

Large LCD screen

Programmable set points

Option to monitor external relay contacts and to report their state viathe wireless system

Wireless operation removes need for expensive setup and maintains wiredsetup.

Measures gas concentrations every 1 second and reports status every 90seconds, except under warning and alert conditions when changes reportedimmediately.

Display backlight is turned on whenever control button is pressed. Awarning or alert triggers the screen to flash.

Sensors draw minimum power to maximize battery 14 life.

Dual-wall housing 12 gives maximum impact strength.

Housing 12 cover can be removed with power applied for modulereplacement and servicing.

Simultaneously monitor up to 8 different gases, together with levels oftemperature, air velocity, pressure, smoke and fire.

-   -   Power Conditioning        -   (M) provide power conditioning from a (4) D-Cell EN95            battery pack        -   (M) monitor the voltage of the battery pack        -   (M) provide 3.3V 50 ma to the controller and display boards        -   (M) power CommTrac transceiver        -   (D) powered from external power voltage            -   (D) measure the external power voltage    -   Communications (CommTrac Transceiver)        -   (M) Support UART communications with Trolex board            -   (M) Write and Read Mod-Bus registers from the Trolex                board        -   (M) Contain an internal antenna    -   I/O        -   (D) Input from a dry contact (state open/closed)        -   (D) Output power to contact (Bait or Ext Pwr)    -   Integrated I/O Module

The following are a list of parts with reference to FIGS. 1a, 1b and 2),all of which are individually alone well-known and are identifiable bytheir part number, description and manufacturer.

Line Reference Part Alt Part Item Designator Quantity ManufacturerNumber Description Number 1 U$2 1 Linx CONSMA001-SMD CONN SMA JACKCONSMA001- Technologies, Inc. STR 50 OHM SMD SMD-ND 2 3 F2 1 1206 SMD,xxA Vfast. fuse 4 U1 1 Texas Instruments CC1110F32RSPR cc1110, QLP296-22740-1-ND 5 U2 1 Texas Instruments CC1190RGVT cc1190, VQFN296-25826-2-ND 6 U25 Microchip PIC24FJ64GA004- PIC24FJ64GA00 TechnologyE/JL 4-E/ML-ND 7 R3 1 RESISTOR xxOMII 1206 SMD 8 C31, C23, 5 KemetCBR04C200F5GAC CAP CER 20 PF 50 V 399-8786-1-ND C27, C28, 1% NPO P402C40, C41 9 C1, C2, C3, 15 TDK Corporation C1005X5R1A104K0 CAP CER 0.1 UF10 V 445-1265-1-ND C4, C6, C7, 50BA 10% X5R 0402 C8, C9, C32, C33, C35,C36, C37, C38, C39 10 C5, C19 2 TDK Corporation C1005X5R1C105K0 CAP CER1 UF 16 V 445-4978-1-ND 50BC 10% X5R 0402 11 C18 1 TDK CorporationC1005X7R1C103K0 CAP CER 10000 PF 445-1262-1-ND 50BA 16 V 10% X7R 0402 12C17 1 250R07N221JV4T CAP CER 220 PF 25 V 709-1125-1-ND 5% NP0 0402 13C26 1 F950J337MBAAQ2 CAP TANT 330 UF 493-5795-1-ND 6.3 V 20% 1210 14C25, C53 2 TDK Corporation CGA2B2C0G1H6R8 CAP CER 6.8 PF 50 V445-5580-1-ND D050BA NP0 0402 15 C24 1 TDK Corporation CGJ2B2C0G111030CCAP CER 3 PF 50 V 445-13278-1-ND 050BA NP0 0402 16 C15, C16, 3 TDKCorporation C1005C0G1H01470J05 CAP CER 47 PF 50 V 445-1243-1-ND C14 0BA5% NPO 0402 17 C10 1 TDK Corporation C1005C0G1H010C0 CAP CER 1 PF 50 V445-4855-1-ND 50BA NP0 0402 18 C11 1 TDK Corporation C1005C0G1H101J05CAP CER 100 PF 50 V 445-1247-1-ND 0BA 5% NP0 0402 19 C12, C13 2 TDKCorporation C1005C0G1H1R5B0 CAP CER 1.5 PF 50 V 445-4858-1-ND 50BA NP00402 20 C42, C43, 4 TDK Corporation C1608X5R1C106M0 CAP CER 10 UF 16 V445-9065-1-ND C44, C34 80AB 20% X5R 0603 21 C22 2 Johanson500R07S120GV4T CAP CER 12 PF 50 V 712-1256-1-ND Dielectries, Inc. 2% NP00402 22 C29, C30, 6 TDK Corporation C1005C0G1H330J05 CAP CER 33 PF 50 V445-1241-1-ND C46, C50, 0BA 5% NP0 0402 C51, C52 23 C20, C21 2 TDKCorporation C1005NP01H150J05 CAP CER 15 PF 50 V 445-13788-1-ND 0BA 5%NP0 0402 24 L1, L2 2 TDK Corporation MLG1005S12NJ INDUCTOR 445-3060-1-NDMULTILAYFR 12 NH 0402 25 1.3, L4 2 TDK Corporation MLG1005S18NJ INDUCTOR445-3062-1-ND MULTILAYER 12 NH 0402 26 L5 1 Pulse ElcctronicsPE-0603CD680JTT INDUCTOR WW RF 553-1027-1-ND Corporation 68 NH 600MA0603 27 L8 1 TDK Corporation MLG1005S3N3S INDUCTOR 445-3047-1-NDMULTILAYER 3.3 NH 0402 28 L6 1 TDK Corporation MLC1005S2N2S INDUCTOR445-3043-1-ND MULTILAYFR 6.2 NH 0402 29 L7 1 TDK CorporationMLK1005S2N2S INDUCTOR 445-1459-1-ND MULTILAYER 2.2 NH 0402 30 R4, R7, 5Panasonic ERJ-2RKF1002X RES 10.0K OHM P10.0KLCT-ND R26, R29, Electronic1/10 W 1% 0402 SMD R31 Components 31 R1 1 Panasonic ERJ-2RKF5602X RES56.0K OHM P56.0KLCT-ND Electronic 1/10 W 1% 0402 SMD Components 32 R2 1Panasonic ERJ-2GEJ332X RES 3.3K OHM 1/10 W P3.3KJCT-ND Electronic 5%0402 SMD Components 33 R8 1 Panasonic ERJ-2RKF22R0X RES 22.0 OHM 1/10 WP22.0LCT-ND Electronic 1% 0402 SMD Components 34 R10 1 PanasonicERJ-2RKF2701X RES 2.70K OHM P2.70KLCT-ND Electronic 1/10 W 1% 0402 SMDComponents 35 Y2 1 ECS, INC. ECS-122.8-20-5PX- CRYSTAL 12.288 MHZXC1278CT-ND TR 20 PF SMD 36 Y1, Y4 2 Abracon ABS06-32.768 KHZ- CRYSTAL32.768 KHZ 535-10104-1-ND Corporation T 12.5 PF SMD 37 Y3 1CTS-Frequency- 403C11A26M00000 CRYSTAL 26.0 MHZ CTX951CT-ND Controls 10PF SMD 38 U26 1 Microchip 23K256-1/ST IC SRAM 256 KBIT 23K256-1/ST-Technology 20 MHZ 8TSSOP ND 39 U3 1 TRiQuent 856327 Signal Conditioning772-856327 Semiconductor 915/26 MHz Filter (mouser) 40 U24 1 TorexXC6210B332MR-C IC REG LDO 3 V 0.7 A 893-1074-1-ND Semiconductor SOT25 41U20 1 STMicroelectronics L7806ABD2t-TR IC REG LDO 6 V 15 A 497-1172-1-NDD2PAK 42 U23 1 Texas Instruments TPS62050DGSR IC REG BUCK SYNC296-14392-1-ND ADJ 0.8 A 10MSOP 43 U21 1 Linear LTC4412LS6#RRMP IC ORCTRLR SRC LTC44121S6#T Technology BF SELECT TSOT23-6 RMPBFCT-ND 44 U22 1Faichild FDC638P MOSFET P-CH 20 V FDC638PCT- Semiconductor 4.5 A SSOT-6ND 45 F1 1 FUSE. xxA. 2410 46 R6 1 RESISTOR. 2010 47 D1, D2, D3 3 DIODESHOTTKY, 1206 48 R23 1 RESISTOR. xxK. 2010 49 R24 1 RESISTOR. xxK.201050 C47 1 TDK Corporation C1608X5R1E334M0 CAP CER 0.33 UF 25 V445-5143-1-ND 80AC 20% X5R 0603 51 U31 1 Microchip MCP6041T-E/OT ICOPAMP 1.4 V SNGL MCP6041T- Technology R-R SOT23-5 E/OTCT-ND 52 IC1, IC2,4 Vishay Siliconix S11869DH-T1-E3 IC LOAD SW LVL S11869D1I-T1- IC3, IC4SHIFT 20 V SC70-6 E3CT-ND 53 R5 1 Panasonic ERJ-8ENF6043V RES 604K OHM ¼W P604KFCT-ND Electronic 1% 1206 SMD Components 54 C49 1 GRM188C81E475KCAP CER 4.7 UF 25 V 490-7199-1-ND E11D 10% X6S 0603 55 R11 1 PanasonicERJ-2RKF2803X RES 280K OHM P280KLCT-ND Electronic 1/10 W 1 % 0402 SMD 56Components 57 R13 1 Panasonic ERJ-3GEYJ473V RES 47K OHM 1/10 WP47KGCT-ND Electronic 5% 0603 SMD Components 58 D4 1 DIODE, SCHOTTKY 59R9 1 Panasonic ERJ-3GEYJ105V RES 1M OHM 1/10 W PL0MGCT-ND Electronic 5%0603 SMD Components 60 R25, R27 2 Panasonic ERJ-2GEJ473X RES 47K OHM1/10 W PL47KJCT-ND Electronic 5% 0402 SMD Components 61 62 63 D14, D15,24 DIODE, ZENER, 6.2 V D16, D17, SOT-23 D18, D19, D20, D21, D22, D23,D24, D25, D26, D27, D28, D29, D30, D31, D32, D33, D34, D38 D39, D40 64D35, D36, 3 Micro SMBJ5341B-TP DIODE, ZENER. 6.2 V. D37 Commercial Co. 5W, DO-214 AC 65 L9 1 Wurth 7445510 INDUCTOR POWER 732-1335-1-NDElectronics, Inc. 10 UH 1.2 A SMD 66 C45 1 Kemet C1210C476M4PACT CAP CER47 UF 16 V 399-5514-1-ND U 20% X5R 1210 67 C54, C55, 3 TDK CorporationC1608X7R1H104K0 CAP CER 0.1 UF 50 V 445-1314-1-ND C48 80AA 10% X7R 060368 U28, U30 2 Maxim Integrated MAX4372HEUK + T IC AMP CURRENT MAX4372HEUSENSE SOT23-5 K + TCT-ND 69 R18, R19 2 RESISTOR, XXXK, 0402 70 R15, R14Na RESISTOR, 1 OHM, 1206 71 R16, R17 2 RESISTOR, XXXK, 1206 72 D5, 36,D7, 6 DIODE, SHOTTKY, D8, D9, 0603, 50 V D10 73 R20 1 ERJ-2RKF2803X RES280K OHM P280KLCT-ND 1/10 W 1% 0402 SMD 74 R21 1 ERJ-2RKF6043X RES 604KOHM P604KLCT-ND 1/10 W 1% 0402 SMD 75 R22 1 RESISTOR. XXXXK. 1206 76 J1,J2 1 HEADER, MALE, . . . 1, 6 POS 77 J6 1 HEADER, SCREW TERMINAL. 6 POS78 J5 1 HEADER. MALE, . . . 1.5 POS 79 D11, D12, 3 Vishay BZG03C10TRDIODE.ZENER 10 V, BZG03C10CT- D13 Semiconductor D0-214 AC ND 80 81 R38 1Panasonic ERJ-2GEJ624X RES 620K OHM P620KJCT-ND Electronic 1/10 W 5%0402 SMD Components 82 R39 1 Panasonic ERJ-2GEJ104X RES 100K OHMP100KJCT-ND Electronic 1/10 W 5% 0402 SMD Components

The present invention pertains to a system 64 for monitoring gases on anoil or gas rig, as shown in FIG. 13. The system comprises a monitor 10which detects a gas at the rig and determines a gas value of the gas.The monitor 10 having an audio alarm 30 and a visual alarm 32, which isactivated when the detected gas is above a predetermined value, and atransceiver 48 which transmits the gas value. The system 64 comprises awireless telecommunications network 66 on which the gas value istransmitted from the monitor 10. The system 64 comprises a remotestation 68 which receives the gas value from the network 66.

The remote station 68 may include a receiver which receives the gasvalue from the network 66, a processor 22 in communication with thereceiver which receives the gas value from the receiver, and a display38 in communication with the processor 22 on which the processor 22displays an alarm indication when the gas value is above a predeterminedlevel.

The present invention pertains to a remote station 68 which receives gasvalues of gas monitors from a wireless network 66. The remote station 68comprises a receiver which receives the gas values wirelessly from thenetwork 66. The remote station 68 comprises a processor 22 incommunication with the receiver which receives the gas values from thereceiver. The remote station 68 comprises a display 38 in communicationwith the processor 22 on which the processor 22 displays an alarmindication when the gas value is above a predetermined level.

The station 68 may include a housing 12 and the processor 22 and thereceiver are disposed in the housing 12 and the display 38 is disposedon a face of the housing 12.

When the monitors 10 are used on an oil or gas rig, the monitors 10 areplaced at various locations throughout the rig. A single communicationnode, such as a CommTrac node is placed with the central control stationon the rig, where all of the monitors 10 are monitored. On the rig,since there are no seams or earth to interfere in any way with thetransmission and reception of signals by the monitors 10, typically justa single communication node 206 is all that is needed for communicationwith the monitors 10. The communication node 206 essentially forms a hubnetwork 66 with the monitors 10. The network 66 can be a CommTracnetwork 66 where data signals are sent over the network 66 as describedabove between the CommTrac communication node 206 and the monitors 10.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, the receiver of the remotestation 68 is part of the transceiver 48 of the CIM 72 described above,disposed in a housing 12 of the remote station 68. The gas value fromeach of the monitors 10 on the rig is received over the CommTrac network66 at the CIM 72. The CIM 72 provides the gas values the CIM 72 hasreceived to the Moxa 230 Miineport, as described above in regard to theshared power supply 200, which converts the serial data signal from theCIM 72 into an Ethernet format signal. The Ethernet signal is providedto a switch 236 which in turn provides it to a Beagle Bone PC 232through the switch 236 that prepares the signal for a modbus PLC 234.The PC 232 provide the prepared signal through the switch 236 to the PLC234 which then causes the prepared signal to be displayed on the display38 on the housing 12 face, as shown in FIG. 17. The status of all themonitors 10 are displayed at once on the display 38. The value of thegas, such as methane, at each monitor 10 is displayed as well as analarm indication at a monitor 10 if the gas value at the monitor 10 isabove a predetermined level.

Regarding the protocol for the gas monitor, the message the monitor 10sends out at predetermined times, or when queried, to the network 66 mayhave a byte for battery level. The message may have a byte for externalvoltage level. The message may have a byte for status. The message mayhave a byte for gas reading. The message may have a byte for nodeaddress. The message may have a byte for serial number.

The present invention pertains to a communication system 64, as shown inFIGS. 14a and 14b . The system 64 comprises a data network 204 on whichsolely data is sent. The system 64 comprises a wireless network 202 onwhich voice and data is sent bidirectionally. The system 64 comprises aplurality of nodes 206 distributed and apart from each other that formthe data network 204 and the wireless network 202. Each node 206 has adata portion 223 which receives and sends data on the data network 204,a wireless portion 224 which receives and sends voice signals on thewireless network 202, and a power supply portion 200 in electricalcommunication with the data portion 224 and the wireless portion 223which powers the data portion 224 and the wireless portion 223.

Data on the data network 204 may include tracking information of anindividual. The data on the data network 204 may be sent and received atleast one node 206 of the plurality of nodes 206 and the data network204 is bidirectional. The data from the data network 204 may be sent onthe data network 204 and the wireless network 202. Each node 206 mayinclude a data converter 226 in communication with the data portion 224and the wireless portion 223 which converts the data from the datanetwork 204 into a transmission signal that is transmitted on thewireless network 202.

The present invention pertains to a communication node 206 of a datanetwork 204 and a wireless network 202, as shown in FIGS. 14a and 14b .The node 206 comprises a housing 12. The node 206 comprises a dataportion 224 disposed in the housing 12 which receives data wirelessly onthe data network 204. The node 206 comprises a wireless portion 223disposed in the housing 12 which receives and sends voice signals on thewireless network 202. The node 206 comprises a power supply portion 200disposed in the housing 12 in electrical communication with the dataportion 224 and the wireless portion 223 which powers the data portion224 and the wireless portion 223. The node 206 comprises a dataconverter 226 disposed in the housing 12 in communication with the dataportion 224 and the wireless portion 223 which converts the data fromthe data network 204 into a transmission signal that is transmitted onthe wireless network 202.

The wireless portion 223 may include a first radio 218 to transmit thetransmission signal. The wireless portion 223 may include a switch 221in communication with the first radio 218 and the data converter. Thewireless portion 223 may include an external fiber connector 223 incommunication with the switch 221 to connect with an external fiber totransmit the transmission signal.

The present invention pertains to a method for communicating in a mine.The method comprises the steps of receiving data wirelessly at a dataportion 224 of a first node 206 of a plurality of nodes 206 from a datanetwork 204 on which solely data is sent. The plurality of nodes 206distributed and apart from each other and form the data network 204 anda wireless network 202. There is the step of converting with a dataconverter 226 in communication with the data portion 224 the data fromthe data network 204 into a transmission signal that is transmitted onthe wireless network 202. The wireless network 202 transmitting andreceiving voice and data bidirectionally. There is the step oftransmitting the transmission signal from the first node 206 on thewireless network 202 with a wireless portion 223 of the first node 206.There is the step of powering the data portion 224 and the wirelessportion 223 with a power supply portion 200 in electrical communicationwith the data portion 224 and the wireless portion 223.

Referring to FIG. 14B, there is shown a schematic diagram focusing onthe shared power supply 200 that is shared by the wireless network 202and the wireless data network 204 which is separate and distinct andindependent from the wireless network 202, all of which is found in asingle communication node 206, such as a StrataConnect node 206 A. Thewireless network 202 may be that wireless network 202 as described inU.S. application Ser. No. 14/290,755, incorporated by reference herein,which supports and provides for bidirectional voice and datacommunication. The data network 204 may be the CommTrac network 66 soldby Strata Products Worldwide, LLC, Sandy Springs, Ga. The data network204 may provide bidirectional data communication, as well as tracking ofminers and vehicles and various devices throughout the mine. The node206 receives data from the data network 204, processes the data so thedata can be transmitted on the wireless Wi-Fi voice network 202 with thefibers 222, and then transmits the processed data on to the remotestation 68, either through the Wi-Fi network 202 with the fibers 222.

A node 206 having the functionality of the CommTrac network 66 and thewireless network 202 receives power from the mine power supply 208 atpower input 210. The power from the mine power supply 208 is at between12 and 48 VDC. The power input 210 is electrically connected to a POEinjector 212 which converts the power to 10 VDC to power the componentsinside the node 206. Power from the injector 212 at 10 VDC and 1 amp isprovided to the first radio 218 and second radio 220 over aCat5/Ethernet connection connected to each radio. Power from theinjector 212 at 10 VDC and 500 mA is provided to the switch 221 in thenode 206. Also connected to the switch 221 are external fibers 222through external fiber connectors 223 over which transmission andreception of communication signals occur. The injector 202 powers thedata connection portion 224, here preferably the CommTrac portion 224,such as a CIM 72 that communicates with the CommTrac network 66 and adata converter 226, such as a serial to Ethernet converter 226, andspecifically a Moxa 230, at 3.3 V and 500 mA.

The CommTrac portion 224 connects with the serial to Ethernet converter226 through a UART connection at 3.3 VDC and at 115 kb per second whichprovides the data signal received by the CommTrac portion 224 to theserial to Ethernet converter 226. The serial to Ethernet converter 226converts the data signal received by it from the CommTrac portion 224into a form that can then be transmitted through the fibers 222 orthrough the radios and provides the converted signal to the switch 221.The switch 221 then transmits the converted signal that was originallyreceived by the CommTrac portion 224 through the fibers 222, or if thefiber connection is not available, through the radios.

In addition, the node 206 may also receive power from another node 206through a Cat 5 connection 228 and also provide power to another nodethrough a Cat 5 connection 228 to form a daisy chain of nodes 206. Eachof the Cat 5 power connections 228 are RJ45 connectors. The power levelof the Cat 5 connections 228 coming in or going out of the node 206 isthe same as the power level received by the node 206 from the mine powersupply 208.

FIG. 14B shows a non-IS node 206. FIG. 14C shows a node 206 that is IS.The node 206 operates essentially the same as the node 206 of FIG. 14B,except that certain power levels are different, as indicated, and theexternal Cat 5 connections 228 are omitted.

The present invention pertains to a miner communicator 298 in acommunications network 66, as shown in FIG. 15. The communicator 298comprises a housing 12. The communicator 298 comprises a processor 22disposed in the housing 12. The communicator 298 comprises a transceiver48 disposed in the housing 12 and in communication with the processor 22and the network 66 to send to and receive from the network 66 only databut not including text. The communicator 298 comprises an input 300disposed on the housing 12 and in communication with the processor 22which provides a trigger signal to the processor 22. The communicator298 comprises an alarm 302 in contact with the housing 12 and incommunication with the processor 22 that is activated by the processor22 when an alarm 302 signal is received by the transceiver 48. Thecommunicator 298 comprises a tracking portion 310 disposed in thehousing 12 which provides a tracking signal that is transmitted by thetransceiver to the network from which the location of the housing in themine is determined along with an ID of the communicator 298. Thetransceiver 48 transmits the ID and tracking signal to the network 66 toa communication node 206, ideally the closest node 206, and then to theremote station 68. The tracking portion 310 may be part of the CC 1110.The CC 1110 is an off the shelf transceiver that is purchased and alsoprovides tracking ability by measuring the signal strength of theCommTrac node 205 ideally closest to the transceiver 48, whose locationis known and stored in a server in the remote station 68. The signalstrength is sent through the network 66 to the server and usingtriangulation by the server, which receives the signal strength,determines the location of the transceiver 48, as is more fullyexplained below and is already part of the CommTrac network 66.

The input 300 may be a single button 304. The alarm 302 may be a firstLED 306 that illuminates when the alarm 302 signal is received by thetransceiver 48. The alarm 302 may be a plurality of LEDs 306 which isilluminated when the alarm 302 signal is received by the transceiver 48.There may be no display 38 and no key board or key pad, only the singlebutton 304.

The trigger signal may be a fixed shape signal whose durationcorresponds to how long the button 304 is activated. The alarm 302 maybe activated only when an alarm 302 signal is received during tolistening intervals in a listening period by the transceiver 48. Theactivation of the button 304 may cause the processor 22 to produce anindicator signal to the network 66 through the transceiver 48corresponding to the activation length and activation frequency of thebutton 304.

The transceiver 48 may have its settings changed by the processor 22when the communicator 298 is within a predetermined distance of acommunication node so the transceiver 48 is not saturated by thecommunication node. When the communicator 298 transitions from an areaof surface communication nodes to only underground communication nodes,the processor 22 may transmit to the network 66 through the transceiver48 a check in message that the communicator 298 is present in the mine.

The present invention pertains to a method for communicating with aminer in a mine. The method comprises the steps of sending an alarm 302signal wirelessly through a wireless communication network 66 to a minercommunicator 298 carried by a miner in the mine. The communicator 298 isonly able to receive data but not voice. There is the step of receivingthe alarm 302 signal by the communicator 298. There is the step ofactivating an alarm 302 of the communicator 298 by a processor 22 of thecommunicator 298 in response to the communicator 298 receiving the alarm302 signal. There is the step of activating a button 304 of thecommunicator 298 to cause the transmitter to transmit from thecommunicator 298 to the network 66 an indicator signal regarding theminer's status, and with the indicator signal is an id of thecommunicator 298 and information associated with the position of thecommunicator 298. The communicator 298 does not have a display 38 or akeyboard.

The communicator 298 for communicating with a user, such as a miner,provides for limited but important information transfer between the userand a monitoring station. This limited information transfer isbidirectional to provide the remote station 68 with information aboutthe user, and to provide the user with critical emergency alertinformation. The communicator 298 is very lightweight so that it iseasily carried or worn by the user and is battery powered.

The communicator 298 sends position messages that report the ID, thecurrent position data by providing the signal strength of signalsreceived by the communicator 298 from a closest operable communicationnode 206 in the mine to the communicator 298, the ID of the closestcommunication node 206 and possibly battery level, and event informationat predetermined intervals wirelessly over a network 66 to the remotestation 68 so the miner can be tracked. The network 66 can be theCommTrac network 66 or the StrataConnect network 66, which is comprisedof the CommTrac network 66 and a WiFi network 66, as described above.The communicator 298 will listen for any messages sent to it atdifferent predetermined intervals.

The communicator 298 includes a processor 22, such as a PIC 24, and atransceiver 48, such as a CC1110, and can be the CIM 72, the operationof which is already described above in regard to the operation of thewireless gas monitor 10. The CommTrac network 66 is synchronized withthe communicator 298 so that when the communicator 298 sends informationor receives information at the appropriate predetermined intervals, theCommTrac network 66 knows to send or receive the respective informationin the appropriate timeframe.

When the communicator 298 is within a predetermined distance of aCommTrac node, the transceiver 48 is attenuated by about 10 db, and itsRSSI values are adjusted upward by the same amount. This is to deal withthe condition of a CommTrac node being very close to the communicator298 and saturating the transceiver 48. The transmission power of thetransceiver 48 is also reduced by 10 db if the communicator 298 is closeto the CommTrac node so as to prevent saturating the CommTrac nodetransceiver 48.

During listening periods by the communicator 298 to receive information,a mine-wide alert state bit is used to determine that an emergencycondition exists. This bit must be detected in at least two listeningintervals within a predetermined listening period to be consideredvalid. By requiring information received by the communicator 298 in atleast two listening intervals in a predetermined listening period tohave this bit, it reduces the possibility of false alarms. When none ofthe listening intervals in the predetermined listening period have thisbit, the alert state is considered no longer present.

A light on the apparatus will flash, preferably in a distinct pattern,when the mine-wide alert is recognized by the communicator 298. After amine-wide alert is recognized; the miner will press a button 304 one,two or three times to indicate the miner's status. For instance, if thebutton 304 is pushed once, it means the miner is fine. If the button 304is placed twice in succession, it means the miner is trapped. If theminer pushes the button 304 three times in succession, it means theminer is injured. The miner can push the button 304 twice, then wait afew seconds and push it again three times to indicate he is trapped andinjured. The communicator 298 will send an emergency responseacknowledgment with the position message to indicate the miner'sresponse. The light may be several LEDs 306 of different color.

A quick press on the button 304 performs a communication check andbattery status update. Holding down the button 304 for an extendedperiod of time or multiple presses of the button 304 during a shortperiod of time is used to trigger an emergency message. Holding down thebutton 304 for an extended period of time shall remove this condition.Two quick presses of the button 304 turn the LED 306 flasher on or off.In response to a mine-wide alert message, one, two or three pressesindicate the user's response condition.

One bit of received information in a listening interval is used toindicate if the CommTrac node is a surface node. Transitioning from anarea of surface nodes to only underground nodes triggers the apparatusto issue a check in message. A checkout message is transmitted whentransitioning in the other direction-transmitting a checkout messagewhen only surface nodes are heard and the apparatus is formally in a“check in” state. The apparatus only waits for the network 66 levelacknowledgment that indicates the check in/out message made itsuccessfully to the CommTrac node. The apparatus does not need to waitfor check in/out acknowledgment.

For a communication check, after the button 304 is quickly pressed, theLEDs 306 flash once immediately to provide feedback. After a shortpause, a series of 1-3 LED 306 flashes indicate battery life (1—needsreplacing soon. 2—middle life, 3—new). After another pause, a secondseries of flashes indicate strength of node (1—weak, 3—strong). The LEDs306 will flash in a pattern indicative of an emergency state. Forexample, a—flash with pauses in between will indicate an emergencystate. The LEDs 306 will flash in a basic pattern used only for visualwarning. During a mine-wide alert message, the LEDs 306 blink in apattern making it very clear the apparatus is in an alert state.

The housing of the communicator 298 has a l×w×h of less than 110 mm×210mm×50 mm and is preferably about 72 mm×165 mm×20 mm. It has a weight ofless than 150 gm and is preferably about 75 gm.

Then present invention pertains to a miner apparatus 450 of a wirelessnetwork, as shown in FIG. 18 and FIG. 21. The apparatus 450 comprises ahousing 12 which is carried by the miner. The apparatus 450 comprises atracking portion 310 disposed in the housing 12 which transmitsinformation associated with the miner's location wirelessly to thenetwork 66. The apparatus 450 comprises a battery 14 disposed in thehousing 12 and connected to the tracking portion 310 which powers thetracking portion 310. The apparatus 450 comprises a cap lamp 400electrically connected to the battery 14 which is powered by the battery14 to provide light. The cap lamp 400 is worn by the miner.

The tracking portion 310 may be part of a transceiver 48, describedabove, and the location of the housing 12 is determined, as described.

The present invention pertains to a miner apparatus 450 of a wirelessnetwork 66, as shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 21. The apparatus 450 comprisesa housing 12 which is carried by the miner. The apparatus 450 comprisesa tracking portion 310 disposed in the housing 12 which transmitsinformation associated with the miner's location wirelessly to thenetwork. The apparatus 450 comprises a battery 14 disposed in thehousing 12 and connected to the tracking portion 310 which powers thetracking portion 310. The apparatus 450 comprises a proximity device 402electrically connected to the battery 14 and disposed in the housing 12which is powered by the battery 14 to provide a detectable presence to aproximity detector 404 when the miner gets too close to the proximitydetector 404, the proximity device 402 worn by the miner.

The present invention pertains to a miner apparatus 450 of a wirelessnetwork, as shown in FIG. 20 and FIG. 21. The apparatus 450 comprises ahousing 12 which is carried by the miner. The apparatus 450 comprises atracking portion 310 disposed in the housing 12 which transmitsinformation associated with the miner's location wirelessly to thenetwork 66. The apparatus 450 comprises a battery 14 disposed in thehousing 12 and connected to the tracking portion 310 which powers thetracking portion 310. The apparatus 450 comprises a proximity deviceelectrically connected to the battery 14 and disposed in the housing 12which is powered by the battery 14 to provide a detectable presence to aproximity detector when the miner gets too close to the proximitydetector. The proximity device is worn by the miner. The apparatus 450comprises a cap lamp 400 electrically connected to the battery 14 whichis powered by the battery 14 to provide light. The cap lamp 400 is wornby the miner. Together these components of tracking, light and proximityare referred to as TPL.

The present invention pertains to a method for a miner to move through amine. The method comprises the steps of powering a light of a cap lamp400 on the miner's head with a battery 14 in a housing 12 carried by theminer. There is the step of sending information associated with locationinformation of the miner's location in the mine from the housing 12identified with a tracking portion 310 in the housing so the miner canbe tracked as the miner moves through the mine. There is the step ofstopping a machine with a proximity sensor connected to the machine,because the proximity sensor has sensed a proximity device in thehousing 12 has come within a predetermined distance to the proximitydevice.

The following information may be contained in a message sent from theproximity detector 404. The message may include at least one byteregarding the health of a generator of the proximity detector 404. Themessage may include at least one byte that a miner has moved closeenough to the proximity detector 404 that a warning has occurred. Themessage may include at least one byte that a miner has moved closeenough to the proximity detector 404 that a hazard has occurred whichhas effectively stopped the operation of the machine associated with theproximity detector 404. The message may include at least one byte whichidentifies the magnetic field strength of a generator. The message mayinclude at least one byte that identities the ID of a proximity device402, such as a personal alarm device (PAD), of a miner which hastriggered a warning or hazard depending on how close the proximitydevice 402 is to the proximity detector 404. The message may include atleast one byte which identifies the battery strength of the proximitydevice 402 which has triggered a warning or a hazard. The proximitydevice 402 and the proximity detector 404 themselves are sold by StrataProducts Worldwide, LLC, Sandy Springs, Ga., USA. The PAD sends an IDsignal to the proximity detector 404 so the proximity detector 404 knowsthe ID of the PAD that has caused a warning or a hazard whicheffectively turns the machine off.

The present invention pertains to a proximity detector 404 attached to amachine 475, as shown in FIG. 21. The detector 404 for detecting aminer's presence comprises a generator 477 which produces a magneticfield. The detector 404 comprises a processor 22. The detector 404comprises a transceiver 48 for sending a message produced by theprocessor 22 having information about the generator's health and an IDof a PAD of a miner that has triggered a warning or hazard that haseffectively stopped operation of the machine 475.

Preferably, the tracking portion 310 is a CIM 72 and the wirelessnetwork 66 is the CommTrac network 66. In one embodiment the CIM 72 andthe battery 14 are in the housing 12 and the housing 12 is attached tothe cap lamp 400 with wiring extending from the housing 12 to the lampthrough a socket in the cap to power the lamp. In another embodiment,the housing 12 is positioned in a pocket or on a belt held with a buckleof the miner, and wiring extends from the battery 14 through the housing12 up to the back of the cap lamp 400 and attached to a socket of thecap to power the lamp. The cap may be a standard miner helmet modifiedto have the socket to receive the power wire from the battery 14 in thehousing 12.

In an alternative embodiment, the CIM 72 and the battery 14 are disposedin the housing 12 along with a proximity device 402. The battery 14powers the CIM 72 and the proximity device 402 so that proximitydetection and tracking of the miner are located in the housing 12 whichis carried by the miner.

In yet another embodiment, the CIM 72, the battery 14 and the proximitydevice 402 are all disposed in the housing 12, with the battery 14powering the CIM 72 and the proximity device 402. In addition, wiringextending from the battery 14 and out through the housing 12 to the backof a cap lamp 400 worn by a miner to power the lamp.

With reference to FIGS. 22A-22K and 23A-23E that are schematic circuitdiagrams for the miner communicator 298, the following is a parts listfor the communicator 298. The operation of the processor 22 andtransceiver 48, that form the CIM 72 is the same, but there isadditional circuitry for the features of the communicator 298. All ofthe following parts are themselves alone well-known and are identifiableby their part number, description and manufacturer. FIG. 24 shows anoverhead view of the circuit board having the circuitry described inFIGS. 22 and 23.

Line Reference Part Item Designator Quantity Manufacturer NumberDescription 1 C1, C2, C3, 12 Taiyo Yuden EMK105B7104KV-F CAP CER 0.1 UF16 V 10% X7R C6, C7, C9, 0402 C32, C35, C36, C37, C38, C39 2 C4, C18 2TDK CGA2B2X7R1H102K050BA CAP CER 1000 PF 50 V 10% X7R Corporation 0402 3C5, C19 2 TDK C1005X5R1C105K050BC CAP CER 1 UF 16 V 10% X5R Corporation0402 C8, C52, 3 Panasonic ERJ-2GE0R00X RES 0.0 OHM 1/10 W JUMP L14Electronic 0402 SMD Components 4 C10 1 TDK C1005C0G1H010C050BA CAP CER 1PF 50 V NP0 0402 Corporation 5 C11 1 TDK C1005C0G1H101J050BA CAP CER 100PF 50 V 5% NP0 Corporation 0402 6 C12, C13 2 TDK C1005C0G1H1R5B050BA CAPCER 1.5 PF 50 V NP0 0402 Corporation 7 C14, C15, 3 TDKC1005C0G1H470J050BA CAP CER 47 PF 50 V 5% NP0 C16 Corporation 0402 8 C171 Johanson 250R07N221JV4T CAP CER 220 PF 25 V 5% NP0 Dielectrics Inc0402 10 C20, C21, 4 TDK C1005NP01H150J050BA CAP CER 15 PF 50 V 5% NP0C45, C61 Corporation 0402 11 C22 1 Johanson 500R07S120GV4T CAP CER 12 PF50 V 2% NP0 Dielectrics Inc 0402 12 C23, C27, 6 MurataGRM1555C1H200GA01D CAP CER 20 PF 50 V 2% NP0 C28, C31, Electronics 0402C40, C41 North America 13 C24 1 TDK C1005C0G1H030C050BA CAP CER 3 PF 50V NP0 0402 Corporation 14 C25, C51 2 TDK CGA2B2C0G1H6R8D050BA CAP CER6.8 PF 50 V NP0 0402 Corporation 15 C26, C29, 3 TDK C1005C0G1H330J050BACAP CER 33 PF 50 V 5% NP0 C30 Corporation 0402 C33 1 TDKC1005C0G1H270J050BA CAP CER 27 PF 50 V 5% NP0 Corporation 0402 16 C34 1Taiyo Yuden UMK105CG181JV-F CAP CER 180 PF 50 V 5% NP0 0402 17 C42, C43,4 TDK C1608X5R1A106M080AC CAP CER 10 UF 10 V 20% X5R C44, C60Corporation 0603 18 C46, C49 0 DNP 19 C47, C48, 3 TDKC2012X5R1A226M085AC CAP CER 22 UF 10 V 20% X5R C50 Corporation 0805 0.95MM THICK C59 1 TDK C1005C0G1H221J050BA CAP CER 220 PF 50 V 5% NP0Corporation 0402 20 D1, D2 2 Avago HSMZ-C170 LED CHIP ALINGAP2 REDTechnologies TOP MOUNT 0805 US Inc. 21 D4, D5, D6 3 Diodes B0520WS-7-FDIODE SCHOTTKY 20 V 0.5 A SOD323 22 E1 1 Vishay VJ5301M915MXBSR RFANTENNA, 915 MHz 23 F1 1 Littelfuse 0466.500NR FUSE .500 A 63 V FAST1206 H1 1 Tech-Etch EMI Shield 0.500 in. × 0.800 in. × 0.060 in. 24 J3 1Samtec MTMM-105-05-F-D- 250 25 L1, L2 2 TDK MLG1005S12NJ INDUCTORMULTILAYER Corporation 12 NH 0402 26 L3, L4 2 TDK MLG1005S18NJ INDUCTORMULTILAYER Corporation 18 NH 0402 27 L5 1 Coilcraft 0603HP-68NXJLUINDUCTOR WIREWOUND 68 NH 0603 5% 28 L6 1 TDK MHQ1005P6N2S INDUCTORMULTILAYER Corporation 6.2 NH 0402 29 1.7 1 TDK MHQ1005P2N2S INDUCTORMULTILAYER Corporation 2.2 NH 0402 30 L8, L11 2 TDK MHQ1005P3N3SINDUCTOR MULTILAYER Corporation 3.3 NH 0402 31 L9 1 Taiyo YudenNR6045T6R3M INDUCTOR 6.3 UH 3.8 A 20% SMD 32 L10 1 DNP L12, L13 2 MurataBLM15HG102SN1D FILTER CHIP 1000 OHM Electronics 250 MA 0402 NorthAmerica L15 1 DNP 34 P1, P2, P3, 6 Keystone 56 BATTERY CLIP AAA SMD P4,P5, P6 35 R1 1 Panasonic ERJ-2RKF5602X RES 56K OHM 1/10 W 1% 0402Electronic SMD Components 36 R2 1 Panasonic ERJ-2GEJ332X RES 3.3K OHM1/10 W 5% 0402 Electronic SMD Components 37 R3 1 Panasonic ERJ-2RKF4993XRES 499K OHM 1/10 W 1% 0402 Electronic SMD Components 38 R4, R12 2Panasonic ERJ-2RKF1133X RES 113K OHM 1/10 W 1% 0402 Electronic SMDComponents 39 R5, R7, R9, 4 Panasonic ERJ-2RKF1002X RES 10K OHM 1/10 W1% 0402 R29 Electronic SMD Components 40 R6 1 Panasonic ERJ-8GEY0R00VRES 0.0 OHM ¼ W JUMP 1206 Electronic SMD Components 41 R8 1 YageoRC0402FR-0722RL RES 22.0 OHM 1/16 W 1% 0402 SMD 42 R10, R16 2 PanasonicERJ-2RKF2701X RES 2.7K OHM 1/10 W 1% 0402 Electronic SMD Components 43R11 1 Panasonic ERJ-2RKF51R0X RES 51 OHM 1/10 W 1% 0402 Electronic SMDComponents 44 R13 1 Panasonic ERJ-2RKF1004X RES 1M OHM 1/10 W 1% 0402Electronic SMD Components R14, R15 2 Panasonic ERJ-2RKF24R9X RES 24.9OHM 1/10 W 1% 0402 Electronic SMD Components 45 R17, R18, 8 PanasonicERJ-2RKF1001X RES 1K OHM 1/10 W 1% 0402 R19, R22, Electronic SMD R23,R24, Components R25, R26 46 R20 1 Panasonic ERJ-2RKF2003X RES 200K OHM1/10 W 1% 0402 Electronic SM Components 47 R21 1 Panasonic ERJ-2RKF6043XRES 604K OHM 1/10 W 1% 0402 Electronic SMD Components R27 1 PanasonicERJ-2RKF10R0X RES 10 OHM 1/10 W 1% 0402 Electronic SMD Components R28 1Panasonic ERJ-2RKF47R0X RES 47 OHM 1/10 W 1% 0402 Electronic SMDComponents 48 S4 1 Coto Technology CT05-1535-G1 REED SWITCH MOLDED 140 V15-35AT 49 S2 1 C&K PTS645VH39-2 LFS SWITCH TACTILE SPST-NO Components0.05 A 12 V 50 S3 1 SignalQuest SQ-MIN-200 SQ-MIN-200 51 U1 1 TexasInstruments CC1190RGVT IC RF FRONT-END 16VQFN 52 U2 1 MicrochipPIC24FJ64GA004- IC MCU 16 BIT 64 KB FLASH 1/ML 44QFN 53 U3 1 TexasInstruments TPS62040DGQR IC REG BUCK SYNC ADJ 1.2 A 10MSOP 54 U4 1 EpcosB39921B3588U410 Signal Conditioning 915 MHz 50 ohms 2.9 dB 55 U6 1Microchip MCP6041T-I/OT IC OPAMP GP 14 KHZ RRO SOT23-5 56 U7 1 Microchip23K256-I/ST IC SRAM 256KBIT 20 MHZ 8TSSOP 57 U8 1 Texas InstrumentsCC1110F32RHHT IC SOC RF TXRX W/8051 MCU 36-VQF 58 Y1, Y4 2 AbraconABS06-32.768KHZ-T CRYSTAL 32.768 KHZ 12.5 PF SMD 59 Y2 1 TXC7M-12.288MAAJ-T CRYSTAL 12.288 MHZ 18 PF SMD 60 Y3 1 CTS 403C11A26M00000CRYSTAL 26 MHZ 10 PF SMD PCB 1 Strata Products PCBU000098 Rev CWorldwide

With reference to FIGS. 25A-25J, 26A-26F, 27A-27L, 28A and 28B, whichare schematic circuit diagrams for the miner apparatus 450, thefollowing is a parts list for the miner apparatus 450. The operation ofthe processor 22 and transceiver 48, that form the CIM 72 is the same,but there is additional circuitry for the features of the minerapparatus 450. All of the following parts are themselves alone are wellknown and are identifiable by their part number, description andmanufacturer.

Line Part Item Designator Quantity Manufacturer Number Description 1 BZ11 PUI AUDIO AI-1027-TWT-5V-R BUZZER MAGN 5 VDC 2.7 KHZ PCB 2 C1 1 KemetT495D337K010ATE150 CAP TANT 330 UF 10 V 10% 2917 3 C2, C3, C4, 23Panasonic C0603C104K4RACTU CAP CER 0.1 UF 16 V 10% X7R C7, C20, 0603C21, C27, C28, C29, C32, C33, C34, C36, C37, C38, C39, C41, C42, C43,C44, C101, C102, C103 4 C8 1 Samsung Electro- CL21B106KOQNNNE CAP CER 10UF 16 V 10% X7R Mechanics 0805 America 5 C9, C10, 5 PanasonicC0603C103K4RACTU CAP CER 0.1 UF 16 V 10% X7R C11, C12, 0603 C19 6 C13 1TDK Corporation C1005C0G1H680J050BA CAP CER 68 PF 50 V 5% NP0 0402 7 C141 TDK Corporation C1005X7R1H103K050BB CAP CER 10000 PF 50 V 10% X7R 04028 C15, C17, 3 TDK Corporation C1005C0G1H101J050BA CAP CER 100 PF 50 V 5%NP0 C48 0402 9 C16 1 Panasonic ERJ-2GE0R00X JUMPER 0 OHM 1/10 W 0402 SMD10 C18, R34, 5 DO NOT INSTALL R35, R36, TP9 11 C5, C22 2 KemetC0603C105K4RACTU CAP CER 1 UF 16 V 10% X7R 0603 12 C23, C24, 4 TDKCorporation C1005NP01H150J050BA CAP CER 15 PF 50 V 5% NP0 C56, C63 040213 C25 1 TDK Corporation C1608X5R1E106M080AC CAP CER 10 UF 25 V 20% X5R0603 14 C26, C30, 6 Kemet CBR04C200F5GAC CAP CER 20 PF 50 V 1% NP0 C49,C50, 0402 C51, C52 15 C31, C57, 3 TDK Corporation C1005X5R1A104K050BACAP CER 0.1 UF 10 V 10% X5R C60 0402 16 C35, C53 2 TDK CorportationC1005X5R1C105K050BC CAP CER 1 UF 16 V 10% X5R 0402 17 C40, C47 2 TDKCorporation C1005C0G1H1R5B050BA CAP CER 1.5 PF 50 V ±0.1 PF NP0 0402 18C45, C61, 3 TDK Corporation C1005C0G1H470J050BA CAP CER 47 PF 50 V 5%NP0 C64 0402 19 C46 1 TDK Corporation C1005C0G1H010C050BA CAP CER 1 PF50 V ±0.25 PF NP0 0402 20 C54 1 TDK Corporation C1005X7R1C103K050BA CAPCER 10000 PF 16 V 10% X7R 0402 21 C55 1 Johanson 250R07N221JV4T CAP CER220 PF 25 V 5% NP0 Dielectrics Inc 0402 22 C58 1 TDK CorporationCGA2B2C0G1H6R8D050BA CAP CER 6.8 PF 50 V NP0 0402 23 C59 1 TDKCorporation CGJ2B2C0G1H030C050BA CAP CER 3 PF 50 V NP0 0402 24 C62 1Johanson 500R07S120GV4T CAP CER 12 PF 50 V 5% NP0 Technology Inc 0402 25D1 1 OSRAM Opto LR A67F-U2AB-1-Z LED SIDELED RED 625 NM SemiconductorsCLR RA SMD 26 D6, D7, D8 3 OSRAM Opto LB Q39G-L2N2-35-1 LED CHIPLED BLUE470 NM Semiconductors 0603 SMD 27 E1, E2 2 Pulse Electronics W3113,W3114 Corporation 28 F1 1 Littelfuse 0466002.NR FUSE 2A 63 V FAST 120629 L1 1 Panasonic ELL-6RH8R2M COIL 8.2 UH 1200 MA CHOKE SMD 30 L2 1 TDKCorporation MLG1005S47NJT000 INDUCTOR MULTILAYER 47 NH 0402 31 L3, L4 2TDK Corporation MLG1005S6N8JT000 INDUCTOR MULTILAYER 6.8 NH 0402 32 L5,L7 2 TDK Corporation MLG1005S12NJ INDUCTOR MULTILAYER 12 NH 0402 33 L6,L8 2 TDK Corporation MLG1005S18NJ INDUCTOR MULTILAYER 18 NH 0402 34 L9 1Pulse Electronics PE-0603CD680JTT INDUCTOR WW RF 68 NH Corporation 600MA 0603 35 L10 1 TDK Corporation MLG1005S3N3S INDUCTOR MULTILAYER 3.3 NH0402 36 L11 1 TDK Corporation MLK1005S2N2S INDUCTOR MULTILAYER 2.2 NH0402 37 L12 1 TDK Corporation MLG1005S6N2S INDUCTOR MULTILAYER 6.2 NH0402 38 P1 1 Samtec SSW-106-01-L-D Header, 6-Pin, Dual row 39 P2 1Samtec TSW-104-06-L-S Header, 4-Pin, Single row 40 P3 1 SamtecTSW-105-06-L-S Header, 5-Pin, Single row 41 P4 1 Samtec SLW-105-01-L-S42 Q1, Q2, 5 International IRLML2502TRPBF MOSFET N-CH 20 V 4.2 A SOT-Q3, Q4, Q5 Rectifier 23 43 Q6 1 Fairchild MMBT3904 TRANSISTOR GP NPN AMPSemiconductor SOT-23 44 R1, R12, 15 Bourns ERJ-8ENF4990V RES 499 OHM ¼ W1% 1206 R24, R29, SMD R30, R31, R32, R54, R63, R64, R65, R66, R67, R68,R69 45 R2 1 Panasonic ERJ-M1WSF20MU RES 0.02 OHM 1 W 1% 2512 SMD 46 R3 1Bourns CRM1206-FZ- RES 0.05 OHM ½ W 1% 1206 R050ELF SMD 47 R4, R5, R9,10 Bourns CRA2512-FZ- RES 0.1 OHM 3 W 1% 2512 R10, R15, R100ELF SMD R16,R19, R20, R22, R23 48 R6 1 Panasonic ERJ-3EKF5102V RES 51K OHM 1/10 W 1%0603 SMD 49 R7, R8, 5 Stackpole CSRN2512FKR680 RES 0.68 OHM 2 W 1% 2512R13, R14, Electronics R18 50 R11 1 Panasonic ERJ-3EKF10R0V RES 10 OHM1/10 W 1% 0603 SMD 51 R17 1 Panasonic ERJ-14NF40R2U RES 40.2 OHM ½ W 1%1210 SMD 52 R21 1 Panasonic ERJ-3EKF1502V RES 15K OHM 1/10 W 1% 0603 SMD53 R25, R44, 4 Panasonic ERJ-3EKF1001V RES 1K OHM 1/10 W 1% 0603 R45,R46 SMD 54 R26 1 Panasonic ERJ-3EKF2001V RES 2K OHM 1/10 W 1% 0603 SMD55 R27 1 Panasonic ERJ-3EKF1003V RES 100K OHM 1/10 W 1% 0603 SMD 56 R28,R40, 9 Panasonic ERJ-3EKF1002V RES 10K OHM 1/10 W 1% 0603 R41, R42, SMDR43, R47, R48, R49, R50 57 R33, R37, 4 Panasonic ERJ-3EKF1000V RES 100OHM 1/10 W 1% 0603 R38, R39 SMD 58 R51 1 Panasonic ERJ-2RKF2701X RES2.7K OHM 1/10 W 1% 0603 SMD 59 R52 1 Panasonic ERJ-8ENF6043V RES 604KOHM ¼ W 1% 1206 SMD 60 R53 1 Panasonic ERJ-3EKF2803V RES 280K OHM 1/10 W1% 0402 SMD 61 R55, R56, 4 Panasonic ERJ-3EKF4702V RES 47K OHM 1/10 W 1%0603 R57, R58 SMD 62 R59 1 Panasonic ERJ-2GEJ105X RES 1 M OHM 1/10 W 1%0603 SMD 63 R60 1 Panasonic ERJ-2RKF22R0X RES 22 OHM 1/10 W 1% 0402 SMD64 R61 1 Panasonic ERJ-2RKF5602X RES 56 K OHM 1/10 W 1% 0402 SMD 65 R621 Panasonic ERJ-2GEJ332X RES 3.3 K OHM 1/10 W 1% 0402 SMD 66 S1, S2, S33 C&K KSC641GLFS SWITCH TACTILE SPST-NO Components 0.05 A 32 V 67 U1 1International IRF8714PbF MOSFET N-CH 30 V 13.8 A 8- Rectifier SOIC 68 U21 Linear Tech LT43561S-1#PBF IC OVERVOLT PROT REG 16- SOIC 69 U3 1Microchip MCP1525T-1/TT IC VREF SERIES PREC 2.5 V SOT23-3 70 U4 1International IRF7406TRPBF MOSFET P-CH 30 V 5.8 A 8- Rectifier SOIC 71U5 1 Texas Instruments INA199A1DCK IC OPAMP CURR SENSE 14 KHZ SC70-6 72U6 1 Vishay Siliconix S11869DH-T1-E3 IC LOAD SW LVL SHIFT 20 V SC70-6 73U7 1 Avago MGA-68563-TR1G IC AMP LNA MMIC GAAS Technologies US SMDSOT-363 74 U8 1 Linx TXM-916-ES TRANSMITTER RF 916 MHZ Technologies10PIN SMD 75 U9 1 Microchip MCP1826S- IC REG LDO 3 V 1 A SOT223-33002E/DB 76 U10 1 Microchip PIC24FJ64GA004- IC MCU 16 BIT 64 KB FLASHTechnology I/PT 44TQFP 77 U11, U13, 3 Texas Instruments SN74LVC2T45DCTIC BUS TRANSCVR 2 BIT N- U15 INV SM8 78 U12 1 MICROCHIP 23K256-1/ST ICSRAM 256KBIT 20 MHZ 8TSSOP 79 U14 1 Microchip MCP6041T-E/OT IC OPAMP GP14 KHZ RRO Technology SOT23-5 80 U16 1 Texas Instruments CC1110F32RHHRIC SOC RF TXRX W/8051 MCU 36-VQF 81 U17 1 TriQuint 856327 SignalConditioning 915/26 MHz Semiconductor Filter 82 U18 1 Texas InstrumentsCC1190RGVT RF Front End 850-950 MHz 83 U101 1 Texas InstrumentsSN74LVC1G332DCKR IC GATE OR 1CH 3-INP SC-70-6 84 U102 1 TexasInstruments SN74LVC1G11DCKR IC GATE AND 1CH 3-INP SC- 70-6 85 Y1 1 TXCAX-12.288MAGV-T CRYSTAL 12.288 MHZ 8 PF CORPORATION SMD 86 Y2, Y4 2Abracon ABS06-32.768KHZ-T CRYSTAL 32.768 KHZ 12.5 PF Corporation SMD 87Y3 1 CTS-Frequency 403C11A26M00000 CRYSTAL 26 MHZ 10 PF SMD Controls

FIG. 29 is an exploded view of the miner apparatus 450, and specificallythe TPL. The housing 12 encases the tracking portion 310 that carriesthe circuitry shown in FIGS. 25-28, which includes the CIM 72. There isthe proximity device 402 which is a standard proximity device 402 thatis currently available and exists in the proximity device sold by StrataProducts Worldwide, LLC. There is the battery 14 and circuitry 602through which the battery and the tracking portion 310 and the proximitydetector 402 is connected to the terminals 600 in the housing 12. Thereis a data port cover 606 that covers over a port to which the softwareoperations can be reprogrammed if necessary in the apparatus 450. Thereis also a cover plate 612 that covers the terminals 600 on the outsideof the housing 12. In the cover 612, there is a wiring port 604 throughwhich the wiring from the terminals 600 extend to the cap lamp 400 topower and trigger the components of the cap lamp 400.

FIG. 30 is a close-up view of the terminals 600. Wiring from terminal607 extends to power the light in the cap lamp 400. Wiring from theterminal 608 extends to the battery 14 to receive power from the battery14. Wiring from terminal 609 extends to an LED in the cap lamp 400 topower the LED. Wiring from the terminal 610 extends to a sounder in thecap lamp 400 that makes a noise to alert the miner when they have cometo close to a proximity detector 404 and a warning or a hazard state istriggered. Terminal 611 receives wiring from the cap lamp 400 andprovides a ground or a return from the cap lamp 400.

Although the invention has been described in detail in the foregoingembodiments for the purpose of illustration, it is to be understood thatsuch detail is solely for that purpose and that variations can be madetherein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention except as it may be described by thefollowing claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A monitor of a communication network forgases in a mine comprising: a housing; a battery disposed in thehousing; a gas sensor portion powered by the battery and in electricalcommunication with the battery which detects a first gas and at least asecond gas different from the first gas in the mine, the gas sensorportion includes a full range by volume between zero and 100% methanesensor; an alarm portion disposed in the housing, powered by the batteryand in electrical communication with the battery which emits a visualalert and an audible alert when the gas sensor portion senses thateither the first or second gas is above a predetermined threshold; awireless communication portion disposed in the housing, powered by thebattery and in electrical communication with the battery and the sensorportion, which sends a wireless signal from the housing to the networkin the mine that the gas sensor portion has sensed of either the firstor second gas and receives a signal to change a set point for a givengas being monitored, the wireless communication portion transmitswirelessly from the housing a methane value of methane in the minesensed by the sensor portion; and a processor disposed in the housing,powered by the battery and in electrical communication with the wirelesscommunication portion, alarm portion, sensor portion and battery, theprocessor changing the set point for a given gas being monitored fromthe signal received by the wireless communication portion.
 2. Themonitor of claim 1 wherein the gas sensor portion includes a carbonmonoxide sensor and a H2S sensor and the wireless communication portiontransmits wirelessly from the housing a carbon monoxide value of carbonin the mine sensed by the sensor portion and an H2S value of H2S in themine sensed by the sensor portion.
 3. The monitor of claim 1 wherein theprocessor receives a gas value signal from the gas sensing portion andconverts the gas value signal into a converted signal form of the gasvalue which can be sent wirelessly by the communication portion from thehousing.
 4. The monitor of claim 1 wherein the communication portionincludes a transceiver in communication with the processor.
 5. Themonitor of claim 4 wherein the communication portion includes anamplifier with an internal antenna in communication with thetransceiver.
 6. The monitor of claim 5 wherein the processor providesthe converted signal form of the gas value to the transceiver which thentransmits the converted signal form of the gas value wirelessly throughthe amplifier and the internal antenna from the housing.
 7. The monitorof claim 1 wherein the alarm portion includes a visual alarm and anaudible alarm and the processor receives an alarm signal from the gassensor portion and activates the visual alarm and the audible alarmbased on the alarm signal.
 8. A monitor of a communication network forgases in a mine comprising: a housing; a battery disposed in thehousing; a gas sensor portion powered by the battery and in electricalcommunication with the battery which detects a first gas and at least asecond gas different from the first gas in the mine; a wirelesscommunication portion disposed in the housing, powered by the batteryand in electrical communication with the battery and the sensor portion,which sends a wireless signal from the housing to the network in themine that the gas sensor portion has sensed of either the first orsecond gas, and receives a signal to change a set point for a given gasbeing monitored, the wireless communication portion transmits wirelesslyfrom the housing a methane value of methane in the mine sensed by thesensor portion; at least one input for connection to a remote device,the one input receiving a status signal regarding the remote device, thestatus signal is transmitted by the wireless communication portion; anda processor disposed in the housing, powered by the battery and inelectrical communication with the wireless communication portion, theinput, sensor portion and battery, the processor changing the set pointfor a given gas being monitored from the signal received by the wirelesscommunication portion.
 9. A method for monitoring gases in a minecomprising the steps of: detecting with a gas sensor portion a first gasand at least a second gas different from the first gas in the mine, thegas sensor portion powered by a battery and in electrical communicationwith the battery, the gas sensor portion and the battery disposed in thehousing, the gas sensor portion includes a full range by volume betweenzero and 100% methane sensor and the wireless communication portiontransmits wirelessly from the housing a methane value of methane in themine sensed by the sensor portion; emitting with an alarm portionpowered by the battery, disposed in the housing and in electricalcommunication with the battery a visual alert and an audible alert whenthe gas sensor portion senses that either the first or second gas isabove a predetermined threshold; sending with a wireless communicationportion disposed in the housing, powered by the battery and inelectrical communication with the battery and the sensor portion awireless signal from the housing that the gas sensor portion has sensedeither the first or second gas and if it is the first gas, the wirelesscommunication portion transmits wirelessly from the housing a methanevalue of methane in the mine sensed by the sensor portion; receiving bythe wireless communication portion a signal to change or set point for agiven gas being monitored; and changing the set point of a given gasbeing monitored by the processor from the signal received by thewireless communication portion.
 10. A system for monitoring gasesunderground comprising: a monitor which detects a gas located in atunnel underground and determines a gas value of the gas, the monitorhaving an audio alarm and a visual alarm which is activated what thedetected gas is above a predetermined value, and a transceiver whichtransmits the gas value, the monitor having a gas sensor portion, thegas sensor portion includes a full range by volume between zero and 100%methane sensor and the wireless communication portion transmitswirelessly from the housing a methane value of methane in the minesensed by the sensor portion; a wireless telecommunications network inthe tunnel on which the gas value is transmitted from the monitor; and aremote station which receives the gas value from the network anddisplays an alarm indication when the gas is above a predetermined valueand an identity of the monitor associated with the alarm indication. 11.The system of claim 10 wherein the transceiver receives a signal fromthe network to change a set point for an alarm condition for the gas tobe determined by the monitor.
 12. A system for monitoring gases on anoil or gas rig comprising: a monitor which detects a gas at the rig anddetermines a gas value of the gas, the monitor having an audio alarm anda visual alarm which is activated when the detected gas is above apredetermined value, and a transceiver which transmits the gas value,the monitor having a gas sensor portion, the gas sensor portion includesa full range by volume between zero and 100% methane sensor and thewireless communication portion transmits wirelessly from the housing amethane value of methane in the mine sensed by the sensor portion; awireless telecommunications network on which the gas value istransmitted from the monitor; and a remote station which receives thegas value from the network.
 13. The system of claim 12 wherein theremote station includes a receiver which receives the gas value from thenetwork, a processor in communication with the receiver which receivesthe gas value from the receiver, and a display in communication with theprocessor on which the processor displays an alarm indication when thegas value is above a predetermined level.